Restoring balance in signaling pathways to treat Alzheimer's and related diseases
Homeostatic Reset as a New Therapeutic Paradigm for Slow Progression Diseases
This study is exploring a new way to help people with Alzheimer's and ALS by trying to balance certain signals in the body instead of just blocking or boosting them, which could lead to better treatment options for these conditions and possibly others like autism and schizophrenia.
Quick facts
| Grant type | R01 grant |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of South Carolina at Columbia NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Columbia, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-10912600 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
This research investigates a novel approach to treating Alzheimer's disease and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis by restoring the balance of small GTPase signaling pathways rather than simply inhibiting or stimulating them. The researchers believe that many chronic diseases, including Alzheimer's and ALS, may progress due to the limitations of traditional therapies that target these pathways in a unidirectional manner. By focusing on homeostatic restoration, the study aims to modify disease progression and potentially improve outcomes for patients. This innovative method is largely untested and could lead to breakthroughs in treating not only neurodegenerative disorders but also other chronic conditions like autism spectrum disorder and schizophrenia.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research include individuals diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or related neurodegenerative disorders.
Not a fit: Patients with acute conditions or those not diagnosed with the targeted chronic diseases may not benefit from this research.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to new therapies that effectively modify the progression of Alzheimer's disease and other chronic conditions.
How similar studies have performed: While this approach is largely untested for Alzheimer's and ALS, similar strategies in other chronic diseases have shown promise in preliminary research.
Where this research is happening
Columbia, United States
- University of South Carolina at Columbia — Columbia, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Lu, Qun — University of South Carolina at Columbia
- Study coordinator: Lu, Qun
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.